Introduction to the TOEFL
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English language proficiency exam produced by the ETS, the same organization that develops the GRE (an exam for grad school admissions) and several other tests.
There are several versions of the TOEFL, either paper-based or computer-based. This guide will focus on the TOEFL iBT which is administered over the internet. The TOEFL iBT is, by far, the most commonly taken and accepted version of the TOEFL.
TOEFL Format
The TOEFL lasts a total of 3.5 hours and includes four sections. There is a ten-minute break between the Listening and Speaking sections. For each section, you’ll receive a score of 0-30. These scores are then added together, meaning your total TOEFL score will be from 0-120. Below is the format of the exam.
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Section | Number of Questions | Time Given |
---|---|---|
Reading | 36-56 | 60-80 minutes |
Listening | 34-51 | 60-90 minutes |
Speaking | 6 tasks | 20 minutes |
Writing | 2 tasks | 50 minutes |